Graduate students enjoy annual garden party despite bad weather

Not even an April shower could dampen the Graduate and Professional Student Organization Garden Party -- it just had to be moved indoors.\nOn April 22 at the DeVault Alumni Center, more than 250 graduate students attended the annual Garden Party, despite the bad weather. A drawing benefited the Middle Way House and students had the chance to win gift certificates from Pizza Express or a beauty package from L.S. Ayres.\n"It was a chance to socialize and have fun," said Sweiss. "Since a lot of people are graduating, it was a nice farewell."\nDuring the party, the Faculty Mentor Award was given to Phaedra Pezzullo, an assistant professor of communication and culture. She received the award based on the influence she's had on students' lives.\n"I was completely shocked and humbled," said Pezzullo. "This is quite an honor to receive at such an early point in my career."\nPezzullo, who joined IU in the fall of 2002, teaches classes focused on environmental communication, feminist theory, and rhetoric.\nGraduate student Isaac West, who has taken three classes with her, said her classroom is never quiet.\n"She selects proactive and important readings that everyone feels free to comment on," said West.\nGraduate student Cara Buckley-Ott said Pezzullo is a good mentor.\n"She believes in the importance of what she does and that belief comes through in her interactions with graduate students both inside and outside of the classroom," said Buckley-Ott. "She connects with students through her intelligence, commitment and personality."\nWith more than 8,000 graduate students on campus, the Graduate and Professional Student Organization is designed to serve as one voice for graduate students. \n"IUB is structured to cater to undergraduate students," said Reem Sweiss, GPSO's public relations director. "GPSO is the grad students' voice and it's important for our issues to be heard."\nIn 1979, the GPSO began as a small advisory group. But in 2002, it wrote a separate constitution from the IU Student Association and established itself as the official government for graduate students. The GPSO gives graduate students a chance to discuss their concerns, especially when it comes to University policies, such as health and dental insurance. Nine members serve on the executive board and there are 87 student representatives from different departments.\nThroughout the year, the organization provides professional opportunities for graduate students. From seminars on filing taxes to publishing academic articles, the GPSO has given students a chance to collaborate and network with their peers.\nThe GPSO also gives students a chance to step away from their research and meet other graduate students through free movie nights or happy hours at local restaurants.\n"Grad school can be a stressful, trying time," said Eric Zeemering, moderator for GPSO. "It's easy to get absorbed in your work, but GPSO gives students a social outlet."\nPezzullo said she enjoys being a professor because of the combination of teaching, research and service. She has also been impressed by how politically-grounded, interdisciplinary, and intellectually rigorous her students are. \n"It's important that the GPSO honor faculty with this award because the amount of hours spent with graduate students outside of class is rarely recognized or fully appreciated." \n-- Contact Staff Writer Jessica Levco at jlevco@indiana.edu.